Derck C. Updegraff

Age 66 of Elmira, November 26, 2008, after a struggle of several years' duration with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy ("PSP"), a disease of hopeless prognosis that he addressed with courage and dignity.Survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jan and Mimi Updegraff of Elmira; nieces, Karen (Vincent) Stalker of Corning and Jill (David) Balderson of Basking Ridge, NJ; great-nieces, Haley and Samantha Balderson and great-nephew, Luke Balderson of Basking Ridge, NJ; and several close friends.He was the son of Alec P. Updegraff and Marguerite C. Updegraff, who predeceased him in 1968 and 1991, respectively.Graduating from Horseheads High School Class of 1960, he attended Union College and joined the Elmira office of F. I. DuPont Company in 1962. He served the firm faithfully for 35 years through several corporate transitions resulting from mergers, retiring from the position of Operations Manager at the Elmira office of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in 1997.Derck loved family, friends, history, tradition, fine dining, and picking winning squares in sporting pools.His dry but gentle sense of humor will be remembered by all those who knew and loved him.His family is especially appreciative of the care and support he received from the staff of the Arnot Ogden Medical Center's skilled nursing facility and Southern Tier Hospice.It was Derck's request that there be no calling hours.Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at the convenience of the family.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the charity of one's choice are appreciated. A 'Candle of Remembrance' may be left for the family in obituaries atwww.olthof.com . Leave a Loving Legacy, Olthof Funeral Home, Inc.